Quarantine at Beloit health center lifted, 15 treated

BELOIT (WITI) — A quarantine that was put in place at a Beloit health center has been lifted as of late Wednesday afternoon, April 17th.

More than 60 people were put in quarantine after a suspicious envelope was delivered to Beloit Community Health around 10 a.m.

15 people were decontaminated after possibly having a reaction to the substance inside the envelope.

According to officials on the scene, a man in his 50s walked into the billing department at the center with the envelope. Immediately following the handling of the envelope, three people suffered burning eyes and nasal passages.

Among the people who were decontaminated included a three-year-old child, two women who are pregnant, and one person with a compromised immune system.

The FBI was on the scene along with a unit of the National Guard (54th Civil Support) which specializes in hazardous material. Initial tests on the envelope revealed no hazardous substances.

“We were a little frustrated, scared, nervous and we didn’t know what was going on. Basically a man came in and he seen the doctor and when he walked out he handed over an envelope which he said ‘this is my payment’ and then he walked out so the envelope was opened and that`s when the powder substance came out,” Emily Arzate said.

Officials describe the man who delivered the envelope as a white man in his 50s with a white beard and skinny build. Officials say he was wearing a tan jacket.

Police reportedly spoke to the man in his Beloit home and he was not taken into custody.

“We`d have to wait to see what the substance is, but at this time I don`t believe there`s any criminal charges that would be filed,” Beloit Police Captain Vince Sciame said.